Community Building

Many opportunities exist for NGG students to get to know each other and the members of the faculty in a variety of contexts, both formal and informal.  These initiatives include the annual student-led retreat, student chalk talks, and lunch series. GLIA also maintains a database of Current Students’ Information to facilitate conversation and promote mentorship opportunities within the NGG student body.

For more information, contact the Community Building Chair, Liz Siefert, at elizabeth.siefert@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Student Retreat

The annual NGG Student-Led Retreat took place on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at World Cafe Live.

The retreat featured student-led panels on life in each year of the PhD, presentation of the APICAL Award to Dr. Hannah Schoenhard, live music from singer-songwriter Sami Stevens, and music-themed trivia! The day continued with an informal gathering across the street at Cira Green!

For information about next year's retreat, contact the organizers: Kara McGaughey (kara.mcgaughey@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) and Julie Merchant (jpmerch@pennmedicine.upenn.edu).

Chalk Talks

During Chalk Talks, a dissertation-level NGG student volunteers to give an informal half-hour talk in the evening with only a whiteboard, dried up markers, and illegible handwritten notes. The audience is only other NGG students who have come for the science and camaraderie (not to mention dinner and drinks), which keeps the atmosphere light and the questions on target (and might also include a bit of good-natured heckling).  It’s a great way to catch up with fellow students and learn about the work they do.